Rupa Banerjee Editor at 15:28, 9 April 2026

2026-04-09T15:28:21Z

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{{Short description|Hindu temple in Bengaluru, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| name = Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple
| image =Sri Raja Rajeshwari Temple 02.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| map_type = India Bengaluru
| map_caption = Location within Bengaluru
| coordinates = {{coord|12.929949|77.536011|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Karnataka]]
| district = [[Bengaluru Urban]]
| locale = [[Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore|Rajarajeshwari Nagar]]
| elevation_m =
| deity = Sri Rajarajeshwari
| festivals= [[Navaratri]], [[Makara Sankranti]], [[Deepavali]]
| architecture = [[Dravidian architecture]]
| temple_quantity =
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = 1978
| creator = Sri Tiruchi Swamigal
| website = https://rajarajeshwari.in/home/home
}}

'''Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple''' is a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Hindu temple|temple]] located in [[Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore|Rajarajeshwari Nagar]], [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]] district in [[Karnataka]]. The primary [[deity]] of the temple is ''Shri Rajarajeshwari''. The temple was constructed in the year 1978 by Sri Sivaratnapuri Swamiji (popularly known as Sri Tiruchi Swamigal).<ref name="archive">{{Cite web |date=9 May 2016 |title=Sri Kailash Ashrama Mahasamsthana {{!}} Rajeshwari Temple |url=https://www.srikailashashrama.org/rajeshwari-temple.html |access-date=16 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509152814/https://www.srikailashashrama.org/rajeshwari-temple.html |archive-date=9 May 2016 }}</ref> The idol of Goddess ''Sri Rajarajeshwari'', a form of Goddess [[Tripura Sundari|Sri Lalita Tripurasundari]]. This temple is believed to be the "ear" or "karnabhaga" of Bharat's many [[Shakta pithas|Shaktipeethas]] as mentioned in the Tantra Chudamani.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjvYoIId05M |title=Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Album Title Launch (Kannada) {{!}} Sri Jayendrapuri Swamiji {{!}} Bhakthi Kannada |date=15 November 2024 |last=PM Audios Bhakthi Kannada - ಭಕ್ತಿ ಕನ್ನಡ |access-date=16 November 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> It was once known as Kanchanagiri situated between the [[Kaveri|Cauvery]] and [[Vrishabhavathi River|Vrishabhavati]] rivers. The ruling [[Bhairava]], Abiru Bhairava, is known as Jaya Peetha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=eGangotri |url=https://archive.org/details/TantraChudamaniChapter1Quarter14322GhaAlm20Shlf2DevanagariMimansa/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Tantra Chudamani Chapter 1 Quarter 1 4322 Gha Alm 20 Shlf 2 Devanagari Mimansa}}</ref> The temple is believed to have been the home of the pious wife [[Anasuya|Anusuya]] and the sage [[Atri]], who attained siddhi by appeasing the holy mother Sri Rajarajeshwari. The temple grounds are believed to be a sacred place for various devas, rishis, munis, and siddhas.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Parameshwarananda |first=Swami |url=https://archive.org/details/inpathoflightwit0000para/mode/2up?q=Sri+rajarajeshwari |title=In the path of light with maa : a journey of love and transformation |date=2011 |publisher=[Place of publication not identified] : Balboa Pr |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-1-4525-3763-4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari |url=http://www.puttugoli.in/2010/10/sri-jnanakshi-rajarajeshwari.html?m=0 |access-date=16 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==Temple history==
His Holiness Sri Sivaratnapuri Swamiji, also called as Sri Tiruchi Swamigal, established Sri Kailash Ashrama Mahasamsthana in Kenchenahalli, which is now known as [[Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bangalore|Sri Rajarajeshwarinagar]]. Sri Sivapuri Baba, who resided in [[Kathmandu]], was his guru. After initiating him, the Guru indicated there was a lot of excellent work to be done in the south and asked him to travel there. [[Mount Kailash|Mount Kailas]] was visited by Tiruchi Mahaswamiji before to his journey south. The triple deities of [[Durga]], [[Lakshmi]], and [[Saraswati|Saraswathi]] appeared to him there during a period of profound meditation, and a bodyless voice (Asarira vani) urged him to travel to Karnataka. He traveled from Bombay to Bangalore.<ref name="archive"/>

On the auspicious Sankranthi day of 14.1.1960, early in the morning, Sri Tiruchi Swamiji and two of his followers were driving to Mysore for a Pada Pooja. About six kilometers southwest of Bengaluru City, he noticed three garudas, or sacred eagles, circling overhead. They reminded him of [[Durga]], [[Lakshmi]], and [[Saraswati|Saraswathi]], who had previously materialized on Mount Kailas. After exiting the vehicle, Swamiji noticed a route that led to the small settlement of Kenchenahalli. As he continued, he came across a small cottage in the middle of a grove of guava trees, where the eagles continued to circle. He chose that location for his Ashrama. Sri Tiruchi Mahaswamigal placed the foundation stone there for the temple.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2017 |title=Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple |url=http://www.rajarajeshwari.in/home/history |access-date=16 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708085605/http://www.rajarajeshwari.in/home/history |archive-date=8 July 2017 }}</ref>

==Temple architecture==

The temple portrays [[Dravidian architecture]] which has five Rajagopurams. It has an open hall with pillars (Mukha Mantapa), a porch (antarala), an elevated sanctum (garbha griha), a large circumambulatory pathway (Pradikshina patha), and an inner courtyard. A lovely six-foot-tall stone figure of the Divine Mother Sri Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari may be found inside the sanctum sanctorum (garbha griha).<ref name="youtube">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_X8uaoz-Go |title=Sri Kshetra Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple {{!}} Bangalore {{!}} Teerthayatra {{!}} 24th October 2023 {{!}} ETV TS |date=24 October 2023 |last=ETV Telangana |access-date=16 November 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==Deities inside the Temple==
The temple complex has numerous shrines for various deities in addition to the main deity Sri Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple |url=https://rajarajeshwari.in/home/home |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=rajarajeshwari.in}}</ref>

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Ganesha|Vinayaka]]
* [[Murugan|Subramanya]]
* Srichakra
* [[Navagrahas]]
}}

== Special aspects of the Temple ==

===Illumination of sanctum by the Sun===
On 27 March every year, the sun directly hits the Devi's forehead and travels down to her feet, attracting more devotees. The temple is renowned for its Navarathri Celebrations and Brahmotsavam, where Chandi Homa is performed daily as priests recite the Vedas and [[Saptashati]].<ref name="archive"/><ref name="youtube"/>

== Music and Culture ==

=== Sri Jnanakshija ===
The Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple has served as a center for contemporary devotional and classical music. In 2024, a new raga in the Indian classical system was created by composer Mahesh Mahadev and dedicated to the temple's presiding deity. The raga was formally named '''Sri Jnanakshija''' by Sri Jayendra Puri Mahaswamiji, the Peethadhipathi of Sri Kailash Ashrama Mahasamsthana, during its official unveiling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=News |date=2024-11-25 |title=Release of new raga 'Sri Jnanakshija' & title of album 'Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari' |url=https://www.mysoorunews.com/release-of-new-raga-sri-jnanakshija-title-of-album-jnanakshi-rajarajeshwari/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=Welcome to Mysooru News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Citation |last=Trinity Mirror |title=Singing the divine tune with devotion to spread harmony |date=2024-11-14 |url=http://archive.org/details/Sri_Jnanakshija_Raga |access-date=2026-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mallikarjun |date=2024-11-21 |title=ಜ್ಞಾನಾಕ್ಷಿರಾಜರಾಜೇಶ್ವರಿ ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಕ್ ವಿಡಿಯೋ ಆಲ್ಬಮ್ ಶೀರ್ಷಿಕೆ ಅನಾವರಣ |url=https://kalyanasiri.in/2024/11/21/gnanakshi-rajarajeshwari-music-video-album-title-unveiled/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=Kalyanasiri |language=en-US}}</ref>

The raga was introduced through the musical album ''Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari'', which features vocal performances by [[Priyadarshini (singer)|Priyadarshini]], Mahesh Mahadev and others'''.''' The compositions within the album were developed as a musical tribute to the Goddess and the spiritual legacy of the ashram, marking a significant modern addition to the temple's cultural history.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Desk |first=News |date=2024-11-25 |title=Release of new raga 'Sri Jnanakshija' & title of album 'Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari' : Welcome to Mysooru News |url=https://www.mysoorunews.com/release-of-new-raga-sri-jnanakshija-title-of-album-jnanakshi-rajarajeshwari/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |work=Welcome to Mysooru News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="250" perrow="3">
File:5th Mahaakumbhaabhisheka at Rajarajeshwari Temple, Bengaluru (2026) 23.jpg|Entrance arch
File:Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple , Bangalore . 01.jpg|Sri Rajarajeshwari temple from outside
File:Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple , Bangalore . 05.jpg|Srichakra Maha Meru temple
File:Inner view of Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple , Bangalore . 02.jpg|Inner view of Sri Rajarajeshwari temple
File:Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple , Bangalore . 03.jpg|Gold Dwaja Sthamba, Sri Rajarajeshwari temple
File:Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple , Bangalore . 04.jpg|Pillars inside Sri Rajarajeshwari temple,
File:KANNADA SCHOOL.jpg|Sri Kailash ashrama
File:Sri Shivaratnapuri Temple of Health (2024) 45.jpg|Sri Shivaratnapuri Swamiji
File:5th Mahaakumbhaabhisheka at Rajarajeshwari Temple, Bengaluru (2026) 29.jpg|[[Kumbhabhishekham|Mahaakumbhaabhisheka]] at the temple in 2026
</gallery>

== Nearby holy places ==

* Sri Kailash Ashrama<ref name="youtube"/>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Sri Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple, Bengaluru}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDn7r_kugDo Sri Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple]

{{Bangalore topics}}

{{Hindu temples in Bangalore}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hindu temples in Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Devi temples in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Devi temples in India]]

Jnanakshi Rajarajeshwari Temple - Revision history

Rupa Banerjee Editor at 15:28, 9 April 2026